Off Forum Topic: What Spyware and Anti Virus do you use.

[El Presidente]

I would love to know what you use as your Computer protection system (Spyware and Anti Virus) and how you would rate it for the period of time you have used it?

Those with Industry know how, feel free to put forward your opinion.

[Tampa1257]

I use Norton Anti-Virus 2006 and update it every 2 years. So far I have been happy with it. I have been using Norton for the past 8 years. I tried McFaee or whatever they call it and it was in my opinion the worst user friendly system I have ever come across.

I use Zone-Alarm Firewall and it has been well worth the effort keeping buggers out of my system.

[mmblz]

Norton 2006. Have used Norton for two years, seems fine.

On the other hand, my real "anti virus software" is OS X ;-)

I don't check email on my Windows box, ever. Don't use IM or any mp3 downloading software. That has cut off MOST sources for viruses - though I could still get one through an IE bug or through shareware.

[maestro]

I would go with NOD32, easy on system resources, great test runs at Virus Bulletin, and easy to use. I have always thought Norton was a pile of dung, clumsy interfaces, slow response times, and a million headaches along the way.

[cobra]

I have used Norton Internet Security and System Mechanic for 5 and 2 years respectively (updated yearly). I just was hit by a virus/spyware that both those were unable to remove (spyfalcon). System mechanic detected the program but was unable to remove/delete/quarantine the bug, Norton missed it completely. I did a little leg work and found that Spy Sweeper (www.webroot.com) was #1 or 2 the last couple years, picked by PC mag. When downloaded it isolated over 40 entities that the previous programs missed, and got my machine back on track. You can imagine my surprise when I found out that the alien program was apparently picked up while surfing a pornographic website. I warned my wife to please stop viewing any further similar material..... we have children! Good luck!

[guilow]

I've been a Norton Antivirus user for years. I just upgraded to 2006 and don't care for it. It's too buggy, locks up thingw it shouldn't. The "exclude" list for programs (worm protection) doesn't work at all.

[badhangover]

I'm completely computer illiterate, but Norton works just fine for me

[n2advnture]

Norton 2006

Spy Sweeper

Spybot Search & Destroy

Adaware

I run 3 because sometimes 1 won't catch everything. I do it twice a week too. Amazing how much crap comes down the line.

[anacostiakat]

» I would love to know what you use as your Computer protection system

» (Spyware and Anti Virus) and how you would rate it for the period of time

» you have used it?

»

» Those with Industry know how, feel free to put forward your opinion.

Trend Micro here (at work) and Ad-Aware and Spybot freeware.

[Havana Joe]

I also use Norton Antivirus 2006 and I've been using Norton for years now. It works fine for me and keeps my system protected from all/any viruses. As for my firewall I use Zone Alarm Pro, I am not a big fan of this program. I think that there may be some compatibility issues between the two. I would like to find out if Norton offers a firewall program and if it is any good. Does anyone know?

[genevapics]

» Norton 2006. Have used Norton for two years, seems fine.

» On the other hand, my real "anti virus software" is OS X ;-)

Gotta love the APPLE. Never has my machine crashed or had problems. Been running an APPLE since since 2002?

[Havana Joe]

I've been thinking about getting a Mac, but I can't get over the cost...:-(

[waldo]

» I would love to know what you use as your Computer protection system

» (Spyware and Anti Virus) and how you would rate it for the period of time

» you have used it?

»

» Those with Industry know how, feel free to put forward your opinion.

I use a router with a hardware firewall, Zonealarm software firewall, plus adaware, spybot search and destroy. I've tried all the big AV packages out there. Most are bloated system hogs, IMHO.

#1 tip I can give you is not to surf porn sites.

[PJ_CEONAD_CC]

Norton 2004 (2006 not user friendly to me)

Spybot Search & Destroy

Adaware

[alexgtp]

I am the IT admin at work.

I use Norton Enterprise solution.

has great real time protection and outlook/exchange protection.

At home I use norton personal edition.

Once a month.

Pandasoftware antivorus and spyware scan (free)

Trend Micro antivirus and spyware scan (free) along with their CWS tool.

HiJAck this for those hard to get nasties.

and Killbox to forcibally remove what hijack this cant remove.

[billyburg]

I use Norton and Zone alarm, works great. Got the Norton internet security and it suxs. Ussualy turn it off and just use Norton AV.

[Loki]

I've been using McAfee for several years. It auto updates daily.

I also use a wireless router as a hardware firewall and of course this is encrypted. I can say that I've never had any problems. I do run a virus scan every week just to make sure. This program also has a security check that enables you to ping your system in order to look for vulnerabilities.

[strayvector]

I use Norton AV, ZoneAlarm as a personal firewall, and SpyBot for Spyware removal.

[manny816]

» HiJAck this for those hard to get nasties.

» and Killbox to forcibally remove what hijack this cant remove.

I use McAfee antivirus. I have been using it for 7 years now without incident. I currently have a contract with a very large Co, well over 50,000 users all over the world. They also use McAfee as the standard. I like the fact that is very tweakable. As for spyware I use adware and love HiJack this. You need to be very careful with HiJack this. It can cause more harm than good if you are not familiar with certain aspects of your OS. I like adware because it notifies when something tries to modify my registry. It is also a good idea to disable certain services if it is a Windows machine. Try not to use IE as your browser and go with something like FireFox. This makes a big difference.

[El Presidente]

» #1 tip I can give you is not to surf porn sites.»

I keep telling Lisa ....but there is only so much you can do

[Hunter]

McAfee av only and it works flawlessly. I use Firefox while surfing and it too works well, no pop-ups.

[Phailure]

» » #1 tip I can give you is not to surf porn sites.»

»

» I keep telling Lisa ....but there is only so much you can do

Seriously though, I use:

Spybot SD

Microsoft Defender (new name for MS anti-spyware)

Norton AV because I get it for free (I dont think its very good, never catches any viruses)

TrendMicro online scans (this thing is sweet, gets stuff that Norton won't)

Adaware if I remember.

[jaxstraww]

» I also use Norton Antivirus 2006 and I've been using Norton for years now.

» It works fine for me and keeps my system protected from all/any viruses.

» As for my firewall I use Zone Alarm Pro, I am not a big fan of this

» program. I think that there may be some compatibility issues between the

» two. I would like to find out if Norton offers a firewall program and if

» it is any good. Does anyone know?

Norton Suite has the bundle of Firewall and AntiVirus.

My lineup.

Norton 2006 (Suite)

Spybot Search & Destroy

Adaware

[smk819]

Mcafee AV and PestPatrol with Zonealarm firewall.

[josie67]

Norton Anti Virus and SpyBot Search and Destroy for the anti spyware program. I have been using Norton for years and have not had any problems with it.